re:mote voices: literature

Title: Dead Air
Author: Iain Banks
Publisher: Little Brown

Dead Air is the latest novel by writer Iain Banks, reputed to be one of the quickest he has written. Which no doubt contributes to the sense of rushing flow that the book displays. The story of Ken Nott, a radio shock jock on a talk radio show on a London radio station.

The core of the story relates to the amount of trouble he gets himself into, to the point he starts receiving threats, attacks and kidnap attempts. All of this coming from his ability to use and abuse his friends and their trust, as well as his ongoing affair with the wife of a major crime lord. As a background to this we have one of Banks' most political works, the first chapter featuring the twin towers, while further in we have discussions on Israel and encounters with holocaust deniers.

One down side of Dead Air is that it is, at least initially, hard to follow. Starting on September 11th the narrative then wanders back and forth filling in the gaps as Banks sees fit. The progress does become more forward looking as the book goes on, the back tracking more obvious, the reader having got a feel for who people are and how Nott has got to the point with them that he has.

Regardless Dead Air is one of Banks most readable and no doubt contemporary works to date. Nott is an entertaining character, though it is especially entertaining to see him called naive. For all his intelligence he is not smart enough to see how some things really are or to avoid getting out of trouble. In fact there are times where he manages to really drop himself in it - with the two words that make up chapter 10 summing up the key turning point of the narrative - "oh shit".

RVWR: PTR
February 2003

Title: Dead Clever
Author: Scarlett Thomas
Publisher: New English Library

I believe at this point in time Scarlett Thomas has written 5 novels, three of those featuring the character Lily Pascalle. Dead Clever was her first work and the introduction to Lily. The debut of Lily Pascalle in some ways mirrors the life of Scarlett herself, both starting this new career with a departure from London and an arrival in Devon.

Lily has been hanging around London for a couple of years, a graduate in English Lit, specialising in crime and horror. Reaching the bottom of the downward spiral her current relationship has been in, Lily seems to have run out of reasons to stay in the city. With this she decides to visit her family in Devon, returning to find that there has been a grisly murder in the usually sedate locale. At a loose end she takes a job at the local university only to find that she is teaching the class the murdered girl was in. With the death of a second student and one of her colleagues gone missing and elevated to prime suspect as result, Lily finds herself drawn into putting her theory into practice to find out what is really going on.

For the most part the narrative is entirely from Lily's perspective, which tends to be the style of this type of fiction. However, perhaps as an experiment, perhaps just as contrast, we also get odd little paragraphs from the point of view of the villain of the piece - abstracted enough so that they don't give the big deal away, but providing the reader clues that Lily doesn't have. In some ways this is an interesting trick, disorientating the reader to some degree, but for me it does not entirely work and is the one thing I felt negative about with this book. In terms of building character Lily is given a past which emerges as the book progresses, linking her to some of the characters she meets and the environment. A balance which has to be carefully done to make the character believable and human. In plot terms clues are given, as well as the requisite cast of people it could be. Of course keeping certain details close to ones chest so that the reader is kept guessing is a good idea, and one that some writers overlook.

Dead Clever is a fun read and one that works well within the genres of crime and contemporary fiction.

RVWR: PTR
Febraury 2003

Title: Zeitgeist
Author: Bruce Sterling
Publisher: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books

Leggy Starlitz has been a recurring character in the short story work of Bruce Sterling. With Zeitgeist Sterling clearly decides he fits the idea and with that at last fills us all in on the story of this scam artist. Starlitz has been managing G-7, a multi-national girl group, for some time now. the band is post-Spice and comprised of a girl from each of the G-7 nations. Though the plan isn't to sell records, rather it is to sell merchandise. Having mined the obvious markets they are looking for fresh territories. Which leads them to Turkish Cypress with the hope of penetrating Turkey and the Middle East. With the Turkish gangster he is dealing with gradually outmanoeuvring him and the appearance of his teenage daughter, Starlitz finds things are not going as planned.

While this is the basic set-up the bulk of the book becomes about Starlitz and his daughter and how they are different from normal people. With this Sterling explores the ideas of narrative and how narrative and reality are not the same thing. The Starlitz family have always been different, living hardcore narrative, affecting it and doing things others couldn't. With this whole text of Zeitgeist gains a striking density that lurks within the straight story. How this defines millennial cross over and cultural structures is important, and reading Zeitgeist puts the likes of Sterling's Holy Fire into a new perspective.

The first book by Japanese writer Haruki Murakami I read was Dance Dance Dance, the UK edition of which has a quote from Sterling on the cover. Reading it I found the inclusion of that quote a little curious. I now find it ironic given that Zeitgeist has a certain aspect which is comparable to Murakami. Throughout the book there are little scenes and actions, which just seem to fit into that impression, while retaining Sterling's hand throughout. Most ironically is when Sterling spends a couple of pages discussing Murakami's Norwegian Wood!

Trying to convey quite why Zeitgeist is an important piece is difficult. I expect one really needs to get into the narrative to understand. Regardless this is Sterling's best work to date, quite exciting and thoroughly enjoyable.

RVWR: PTR
Febraury 2003

Title: Hardboiled Wonderland And The End Of The World
Author: Haruki Murakami
Publisher: Harvill Press

While I have seen a number of people recommend Hardboiled Wonderland And The End Of The World as being the perfect starting point for reading Haruki Murakami it is my sixth novel by the renowned Japanese author. I think all of his books feature a male narrator, and like Hardboiled Wonderland, many of the narrators are nameless to the reader. As is the case here, though we can refer to him by his job title, as the character in turn does with all the other characters.

The story is split in two, reflecting the title to some degree. We have the Hardboiled Wonderland where our narrator is a Calcutec - which is a cryptologist for The System. Protecting data for the major corporation against the Semiotecs, agents of The Factory. The other side of the story is set at The End Of The World, a town surrounded by a large fence and populated by some people and unicorns. Here the narrator is a Dream Reader, releasing the secret dreams from the skulls of beasts.

Even with the split into two alternating threads we have a sense that these halves are clearly related. The first person narrative gives a clear feeling that the Calcutec and Dream Reader are the same person. The growing connections only add weight to this idea as the story progresses.

With works like Dance Dance Dance and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles Murakami has displayed a certain surrealness, an ability to step out there for a moment or two. From the start of Hardboiled Wonderland he has taken that step. The character introduced in a silent, possibly moving lift that leads to twisting corridors, which are present in both DDD and WUB. Never looking back Murakami accelerates into the territory that make this his bizarrest work so far. From the professor's studies of skulls and silence to the separation of body and shadow our hero struggles to work out what it is all about. One of my favourite parts of the book being where the character remarks in an off hand manner as part of his narration that you can't expect him to know what's happening.

Some descriptions of Hardboiled Wonderland introduced a certain fear for me, they managed to make it sound silly. However this is likely one of his best works, like the other Murakami books that I have enjoyed it draws the reader in and keeps them reading. His lead characters have a certain unassuming charm, interests which probably seem exotic for Japan, but these Western hooks provide more of a frame of reference for Western readers who are in turn supplied the exotic in the form of location. Though location is less of an issue here in that it has stepped so far out that even when it is set in Tokyo it doesn't really matter. But that is an aside, the grounding of the character allows us to walk through everything that happens to him with an appreciation, a recognition of what is different, taking it as it comes.

RVWR: PTR
February 2003

Title: Chaga [aka: Evolution's Shore]
Author: Ian McDonald
Publisher: Gollancz

With Chaga I have a curious situation. This novel by Iain McDonald is based on a short story, which I have read. It is also followed by a sequel, Kirinya, which I have also read. So approaching the novel Chaga itself is interesting. Made more complicated by the realisation that the novel Evolution's Shore and Chaga are the same book and I managed to get both of them at the same time. Evolution's Shore is the American edition and Chaga is the British, the change of title, like so many of these decisions seems odd and a little obscure.

It is 2008 and Gaby has just been accepted for a journalism course in London when one of Saturn's moons disappears. For her this is an omen that whatever this event is it will be her story. As she goes through her course what this event represents unfolds with arrivals of material from space. Meteor-like packages come down in Africa, in the territory of the Wa-Chaga tribe. The material that starts to spread from this point becomes known as Chaga. The alien material absorbing and transforming everything in its path, advancing incrementally every day, helped by the arrival of further packages. By the end of her course Gaby manages to get assigned to Africa, where the Chaga has been spreading, UNECTA troops evacuating each village in the path. Refugees rippling outward as a new and alien environment grows at the heart of the continent.

Chaga fits into a Science Fiction cycle of works that includes Bruce Sterling's The Artificial Kid and Paul McAuley's Secret Of Life. The idea of how a substance can spread and transform - microbes, or nanobes rebuilding everything in its path. Dealing with the concept of alien, without actually having obvious/physical aliens. A more creeping sense of horror of consumption than screaming space ships and death rays. McDonald's particular tactic is to deal with it, the people that lived there adapting to it as they either flee or resign themselves to whatever may lie in these territories, or the way in which governments react to the incursion.

One of the things I particularly like about Chaga, and Kirinya in turn, is the location McDonald has chosen. Deliberately choosing Africa rather than some first world country. From there he steps into territory less often covered by Science Fiction. Then builds in a way that means that every response is knocked off by that cultural difference. The idea that Africa would deal with this kind of event differently. The idea of how the rest of the world would react to Africa.

Of course to make Chaga readable McDonald also needs his characters. Gaby is the lead, too ambitious as a reporter, she pursues the story even to the point where she steps into the unknown. The upside is that she is driven and will get the story out there. The downside is that she won't even notice as she walks all over everyone she knows in the process. So while we chart the spread of the Chaga we also witness the rise and fall of Gaby MacAslan.

With Ship Of Fools and Kirinya I became a fan of McDonald's work, from that Chaga does not disappoint.

RVWR: PTR
February 2003

Title: Everything You Need
Author: A. L. Kennedy
Publisher: Vintage

Mary Lamb is 19. She wants to be a writer. Her father is dead. Her mother has abandoned her. She has been raised by her uncles, her mother's brother and his lover. With the offer of joining a small group of writers as part of a writer's retreat on a small island she is preparing to leave for the first time.

Nathan Staples is a writer. Who has written dark fiction for some years. He currently lives on the writer's retreat, where he periodically puts himself through near death experiences in an attempt to understand and appreciate life more. He is to be Mary's tutor. He is also her father and is desperate to be reunited with his daughter.

Everything You Need covers a period of years, starting in 1990 with an introduction to the two characters - father and daughter and writers. The narrative covers the relation between the two and how it changes over the years. At the core of which is Nathan's inability to tell Mary who he is, constantly aware of how negative the consequences could be. To facilitate our understanding of the characters and the progression of the story we switch back and forth between the two characters in mostly alternating sections, with periodic switches from third person to first for the inclusion of sections written by Nathan which cover his past. Working in this way is an important part of the books success, Kennedy concentrating so much on the emotions and thoughts of the characters and why they behave how they do in response to each event.

As well as the main plot of Everything You Need there is a clear secondary commentary that is present from start to finish. The characters are writers - Nathan and Mary, along with the other 5 people who live on the island. Nathan is assigned as tutor to Mary to help her to learn how to write, this sets up series of thoughts on writing - golden rules delivered to young prodigy. Along with this Nathan's best friend is his editor, so there is also input from the editorial side of publishing. Mary is taken to a couple of industry parties while visiting London, adding another layer - insight into the current state of publishing. One presumes that much of this comes from Kennedy's experience, either as witness or personal - which would lead to a somewhat caustic impression. Though it also provides an easier level of humour.

The characters are well developed, especially Nathan, who really does take the narrative over. Recovering from a previous cancer we have an aging man, with one lung, who has to look after himself every day just to stay alive. A man who comes across as cynical and harsh, prone to unpredictable depressions and anger. His relationship with his dog and his behaviour towards his daughter show a whole other side to the man.

Kennedy's prose is lyrical, bringing the reader in with her rolling narration. Which as I approach for the first time I feel I need to slow down and really appreciate what she is writing. As she lays out these lives for us to explore her words are evocative, the emotions and struggling dynamic palpitating. This enables us to feel Nathan's frustration and awkwardness - his desperate desire to reveal all and his reluctance to do just that. As far as I can gather Everything You Need is the first novel by A.L. Kennedy, following a series of short story collections as well as some film work. A chunky book that shows considerably more weight than those previous books - with Everything You Need as testament one can only hope that this is the start of a new direction for the author.

RVWR: PTR
February 2003

Title: Effendi
Author: Jon Courntenay Grimwood
Publisher: Pocket Books

Effendi is the second Arabesk, the second in a series of books by the author Jon Courtenay Grimwood. Pashazade introduced us to the character of Ashraf Bey. Raf found himself part of the hierarchy of the free city of El Iskandryia, having been broken out of a Seattle prison. Once there he found himself accused of murder, with his attempts to clear his name finding him raised to the rank of Chief Of Detectives as we start Effendi.

Hamzah Effendi is the cities leading industrialist, owning clubs and refineries, having come from nothing to be an Effendi. However it seems that the nothing in question involved Hamzah being a child soldier in one of many of the wars that have taken place across North Africa in the last several decades. With this revelation comes the one that he may also be a mass murderer. The role of El Iskandryia in the world is a fragile one, Berlin, Paris and Washington all wanting to increase their power there. With the importance of Hamzah and the damage his crimes could do this looks like an opportunity for power plays to come into force.

As Effendi progresses there are increasing problems within the city. Clubs burnt down, tourists murdered and mutilated, electro pulse bombings that wipe out all the city's electronics. Throughout this, Raf is trying to retain control and deal with the situation with Hamzah, and how he feels for Hamzah's daughter. Though the more significant actions are perhaps taken by Raf's 9 year old nice Hani and Hamzah's bastard son Avatar - both free to do what they want compared to the bound Pashazade.

Grimwood is working in a variety of genres, as he has done since his first book neoAddix. Part alternate history, where he explored a future which stemmed from a Napoleonic France in his first series, he concentrates here on a future extended from a surviving Ottoman empire. Technology and violence were more heavily present in the environment of the Napoleonic sequence than here, though they are both present here. Technology and violence are more integrated, more subtle, more mature in the Arabesk. Which for me at least, makes them more interesting reading. There is also a certain element of crime involved in these novels, Raf being forced to play detective in Pashazade and actually being chief detective in Effendi. With murders and politics for him to get caught in the midst of in each.

The one negative aspect of the book was the way it starts. Effendi follows on close from Pashazade, to the degree that much of the first 50 pages actually seems to retread previous ground from a different point of view. To a certain extent this serves as contextualization, setting up the idea that Hamzah had been having problems anyway. Still the manner in which it is done feels like a disorientated déjà vu, distracting the reader rather than bringing them into the narrative. The likelihood is that this renders Effendi less readable to someone who hasn't read Pashazade already; there are certainly comments which could be considered to be spoilers. Though the joy of a continuity is following it and watching things fall into place, so that helps to negate some of those issues. Once the reader is in and past that early section the pacing is solid leaving Grimwood with another page turner on his hands.

RVWR: PTR
February 2003